Plano-convex lenses can focus a collimated beam or collimate light from a point source. To minimize the introduction of spherical aberration, a collimated light source should be incident on the curved surface of the lens when being focused and a point light source should be incident on the planar surface when being collimated.Plano-convex lenses can focus a collimated beam or collimate light from a point source. To minimize the introduction of spherical aberration, a collimated light source should be incident on the curved surface of the lens when being focused and a point light source should be incident on the planar surface when being collimated.
Plano convex lenses are used in many applications including telescopes, collimators, magnifiers, optical transceivers and condensers. These lenses have a plane and a convex surface. They may be combined with other lenses to form complex imaging system.
N-BK7 plano-convex lenses are available uncoated or with a variety of antireflection coatings. Standard lenses feature a 40-20 scratch-dig surface quality, and economy versions are available with a 60-40 scratch-dig surface quality for less demanding applications. N-BK7 is an excellent lens material for most visible and NIR applications. N-BK-7 provides great performance at a good value with its high homogeneity, low bubble and inclusion content, and straightforward manufacturability
UV Fused Silica plano-convex lenses are available uncoated or with a variety of antireflection coatings. UVFS is synthetic amorphous silicon dioxide of extremely high purity providing maximum transmission from 195-2100 nm. This non-crystalline, colorless silica glass combines a very low thermal expansion coefficient with good optical qualities, and excellent transmittance in the ultraviolet region. Transmission and homogeneity exceed those of crystalline quartz without the problems of orientation and temperature instability inherent in the crystalline form. It will not fluoresce under UV light and is resistant to radiation
Infrared Plano-Convex lenses are constructed with materials that are well-matched for IR applications, especially focusing. Sapphire lenses feature high compressive strength, high melting point, excellent thermal conductivity and resistance to strong acids, making them suitable for high power and high pressure applications in vacuum or corrosive atmospheres for wavelengths between 150-5,000 nm. Zinc Selenide lenses operate between 600 nm and 16 µm wavelengths and are ideal for CO2 laser applications and mid-IR femtosecond pulse applications. Calcium Fluoride lenses provide high average transmission and low chromatic aberration for wavelengths between 180-8,000 nm and are also suitable for near-IR femtosecond pulse applications.
